30 March 2018 - weekly round up (Music Matters)

An Apple executive confirms plans to shut down iTunes music downloads Back in 2016, it was first reported by the media that Apple plans to shut down its iTunes music downloads. At the time, sources informed the media that the shut down was slated to tentatively happen 'within 2-3 years.' Apple repeatedly denied the reports, then, in December last year, sources pointed to a plan to completely terminate iTunes music download sales by early 2019. That shutdown would involve paid downloads, though existing downloads (including purchased AAC's and MP3's imported into iTunes) would still work. The comment came in a BBC interview with an exiting Apple music executive conducted earlier this month. The executive and source referenced helped to launch Apple Music, a streaming platform that competes with Apple's own music downloads, and paid downloads are falling precipitously as streaming music continues to strengthen. Currently the streaming platform is adding nearly 2 million subscribers a month, with more than 6 trialling the service for free. That's a lot of people - who are not downloading music anymore, a shift that is clearly indicated in 2017 music industry sales data.

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Warner buys scouting tool sodatone In a move led by its global CEO of recorded music, Warner Music Group has announced acquisition of Sodatone, a Toronto-based startup which the major claims has 'established a reputation as the world's premier A&R insight tool.' Founded in 2016, Sodatone's tech combines streaming, social and touring data with machine learning to identify the unsigned talent it believes has the best chance of future success. The platform uses indicative data to determine such predictions - including the loyalty and engagement level of online fans, as well as potential virality of a track or demo. Sodatone purportedly said to be used by multiple top-tier label and publishing executives across the industry, now belongs to Warner. Under WMG, the platform will continue to be run by its founders, who have backgrounds in data science, artificial intelligence and engineering. eOne acquires live music specialist Round Room Entertainment One has acquired New-York based live event producer for an undisclosed amount. Round Room is run by co-presidents Steven Shaw and Jonathan Linden who have been on tours of the likes of the Rolling Stones and others.